_Charitable Institutions, Hospitals, etc._--There are several charitable institutions in Havana, with ample funds and well managed. Such are the Casa Real de Beneficencia, the Hospital of San Lazaro and the Foundling Hospital,--Casa Real de Maternidad. In other parts of the island, there are eighteen hospitals, located in its chief towns. _Railroads._--The first railroad built in Cuba was that from Havana to Guines, forty-five miles in length, completed and opened in 1839. In 1848, there were two hundred and eighty-five miles of railroads on the island, and the capital invested in them has been computed at between five and six millions of dollars. _Climate._--The diversity of surface gives rise to considerable variation in temperature. On the highest mountain ridges, at four thousand feet above the level of the sea, ice is sometimes formed in mid winter, but snow is unknown. The mean temperature of the hottest months (July and August) is about 83° Fahrenheit. The coldest months are January and December. CHAPTER XVI. Retrospective thoughts--The bright side and dark side of the picture--Cuban institutions contrasted with our own--Political sentiments of the Creoles--War footing--Loyalty of the colony--Native men of genius--The Cubans not willing slaves--Our own revolution--Apostles of rebellion--Moral of the Lopez expedition--Jealousy of Spain--Honorable position of our government--Spanish aggressions on our flag--Purchase of the island--Distinguished conservative opinion--The end.